PH gov’t, ICC must pursue justice for murders –Archbishop Soc Villegas
During the Eucharistic celebration at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine), Villegas described the country’s justice system as “defective” and “not ideal.”
“ICC of the Hague, kayo naman (It’s your turn). Bring to justice the murderers of drug users who also murdered our national virtues and values. Help us restore justice and order in this land that has lost its virtues,” Villegas said during his homily.
“ICI, kayo naman. Sana more. Inip na kami (Independent Commission for Infrastructure, It’s your turn. We’re expecting more. We’re losing patience),” he added.
He also called out government officials who blocked impeachment proceedings, echoed China’s propaganda, and told them to resign.
“Chinadors, those who don’t know the meaning of forthwith, and are holding back the impeachment process, it’s you. You should resign,” Villegas said.
“It’s like resigning from EDSA II. The people are infected if there is no one like you in the government,” he added.
(The Chinadors, those who do not know the meaning of forthwith, and are obstructing the impeachment process, it’s your turn to resign. Like the one who resigned during the EDSA II, the country would be relieved if there is no one like you in government.)
He also condemned some Filipinos for justifying killings during the controversial war on drugs of the Duterte administration
“Before the jailed man of the Hague became president, didn’t we know right from wrong?” Villegas said. “Yet, we justified addict murders, vulgar jokes, blasphemy was tolerable, due process disposable, an island built up by China as necessary to prevent war.”
“What happened? Charisma eclipsed conscience. This was not EDSA. It’s embarrassing, nauseating, surprising, why are we doing this? That kind of leadership must not be given another chance in this country,” he added.
(What happened? Charisma eclipsed conscience. This was not EDSA. It’s shameful, disgusting, and questionable. How did we end up like this? That kind of leadership must not be given another chance in this country.)
Villegas’ homily discussed the events that transpired in the past four decades after the People Power Revolution in 1986.
New saints of EDSA
He urged the youth to be the “new saints of EDSA” and think critically when choosing leaders.
“It will be remembered that we stood here on EDSA. [M]young people, you too. The torch passes. Rise as true patriots,” Villegas said.
“Evaluate leaders by defense of life and justice and integrity, not fleeting trends,” he added.
Villegas became the rector of EDSA Shrine when it was established in December 1989.
Speak out
During the Eucharistic celebration at the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA (EDSA Shrine), Rector Fr. Jerome Secillano said Filipinos are well-informed and brave for speaking out the truth.
“It is very important that you have a conflict with people who are looting or doing corruption in our government or society,” Secillano said during the concluding rites.
(It is very important to take a stand against people who steal or commit corruption in our government or in society.)
“It is only right that we listen, we express these facts so that they know that we know, we care, and we will act in the coming days,” he added.
(It is only right that we express ourselves and speak these truths so that they will know that we are aware, that we care, and that we will take action in the coming days.)
Father Jerome Secillano said Filipinos are well-informed and brave for speaking out the truth. (Photo from Celine Serquina)
Secillano also pointed out that speaking out for justice is not a form of playing politics, but a formation of conscience.
“Politicians are not the savior of the world. Politicians are not the savior of our country. Politicians for that matter will not save you from poverty,” Secillano said.
He also urged Filipinos to work together in committing kindness to achieve justice and the common good.
Never forget
In an interview with GMA News Online, Sr. Malou Camacho of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul said Filipinos should never forget the EDSA People Power since it was a fight for justice and truth and for the poor.
“What we should never forget as Filipinos is our fight for justice, for truth and to fight for the poor. Let’s not forget what the truest EDSA Revolution is,” Camacho said.
(As Filipinos, we should not forget the fight for justice and truth and the fight for the poor. Let us not forget the real events in EDSA revolution.)
Sister Malou Camacho: Because of the rosary and roses, the soldiers converted to join us. (Photo by Celine Serquina)
Sharing her experience during the EDSA People Power Revolution, Camacho said one of the unforgettable moments was when Cardinal Jaime Sin invited Filipinos, including religious people, to join the historic event in 1986.
“What I really appreciated, you will never forget, is the praying of the rosary. We remember how Cardinal [Jaime] Sin invited all of us, even the sisters who are in the convent, to go out and to be with the people. Because of the rosary and roses, those soldiers converted to join us,” she said.
Witness
Meanwhile, 47-year-old Robert Perez shared that the events during the EDSA People Power Revolution remain vivid in his memory.
“When I was seven years old, I could only watch him on TV, then when I went to Manila, I saw him in person and I was also one of those fighting to achieve justice for our country,” Perez told GMA News Online.
(I witnessed it when I was seven years old on television, and then I also witnessed it when I moved to Manila. I’m one of the people who is fighting to attain justice for our country.)
For 22-year-old Andrei Totanes, commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution means strengthening the democracy that it gifted.
For Andrei Totanes, commemorating EDSA People Power is a way to strengthen the democracy it gave. (Photo by Celine Serquina)
“In democracy, we have peace and we learn what is love, hope, and freedom (In democracy, we have peace and learn what is love, hope, and freedom),” he said.
Spanning four days, from February 22 to 25, the EDSA People Power Revolution ended the two-decade regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
